Romanian students face transport costs despite free travel law

Thousands of Romanian students who travel to national exams have had to pay for public transport out of pocket, even though a new law guarantees free travel for exam periods. Law No. 12/2026, adopted earlier this year, stipulates that pupils commuting to exam centres should receive free local, county and rail transport. The Ministry of Education failed to issue the required methodological guidelines within the legally mandated 90‑day window, leaving schools and transport operators without a clear procedure.

Deputy Odon Szabo raised the issue with Education Minister Mihai Dimian, who replied that the payment problem is limited to a few administrative units, noting that most schools have already applied the free‑travel measure. The ministry has promised official interventions to implement the law, but many students continued to purchase full‑price tickets and subscriptions during the exam period.